This is a link to an interesting site

National Landlord Associations
National Federation of Residential Landlords – www.nfrl.co.uk
British Property Federation – www.bpf.org.uk
National Landlords Association – www.landlords.org.uk
Residential Landlords Association – www.rla.org.uk

GOVERNMENT 
Department of Communities and Local Government – www.communities.gov.uk - search engine ‘accreditation’

Landlord accreditation - http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1155746

Communities Scotland have lanched a comprehensive guidance document entitled .. National Core Standards and Good Practice Guidance for Private Landlords and for Local Accreditation Schemes.  A downloadable copy is available on .. www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/web/FILES/NationalCoreStandards_final.pdf

INSTITUTIONS
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health – www.cieh.org.uk
Chartered Institute of Housing – www.cih.org.uk 
Shelter – www.shelter.org.uk
National HMO Network – www.nationalhmonetwork.co.uk
National Approved Letting Scheme – www.nalscheme.co.uk
Independent Housing Ombudsman Service – www.ihos.org.uk

TENANTS GROUPS
Kirklees Federation of Tenants and Residents Association – www.kftra.demon.co.uk

COMMUNITY GROUPS
Network of Residents Associations – www.nora-uk.co.uk
Leeds HMO Lobby – www.healheadingley.org.uk/hmolobby/home.htm

DOCUMENTS
English House Condition Survey - www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_026613.pdf

ENERGY SAVING 
Energy Saving Trust -
A not-for-profit organisation which is funded by the Government, set up with two main goals, to achieve sustainable use of energy and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions -
http://www.est.org.uk/

The tenancy agreement will in almost all cases (certainly if the tenancy is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy or a tenancy under the Rent Act 1977) continue on what is called a periodic tenancy. The tenancy will continue with the same terms and conditions as the preceding written agreement. The period usually is the same as the period for which rent is payable, although it may be different if the tenancy agreement specifies this.

For example in a tenancy agreement where rent is paid weekly, the tenancy after the end of the fixed term will normally run on from week to week. However if the tenancy agreement specifically says that it will continue on amonthly basis after the end of the fixed term, then this is what will happen.

If the landlord wishes, he can give the tenant a new fixed term tenancy agreement when the first one ends. Or he can let the tenancy run on. Sometimes the landlord will only ask the tenant to sign a new tenancy agreement if he wants to change the terms, eg to charge a new rent, or is he wants to update the agreement to comply with new legislation. Or he may always prefer the tenant to be committed to a further six months or a year once the fixed term ends. However a new written agreement (or 'renewal' as it is sometimes called) is not essential.

Note that the tenant will not be a squatter after the end of the fixed term. He will still have a valid tenancy agreement and will be entitled by law to stay in the property. Save in exceptional circumstances, the tenancy can only be ended, if the tenant does not agree to go voluntarily, by an order of the court.

My landlord/letting agent won’t give me a copy of my tenancy agreement - what can I do?

Although there is no specific law providing for a landlord to give a tenant a copy of the tenancy agreement they have signed, there is a requirement in the Housing Act 1988 (section 20A) that a landlord of an assured shorthold tenancy must, if requested by the tenant in writing, provide the tenant with a written statement of the main terms of the tenancy. If the landlord fails to provide the statement, this is a criminal offence.

Ideally you should insist on receiving a copy of the tenancy agreement at the time you sign it. All good landlords and letting agents should give you this as a matter of course. However if a copy has not been given to you, proceed as follows:

If you are resident in the property, have signed a tenancy agreement, but have not been provided with a copy , you should write to your landlord or letting agent asking them to let you have a copy of the tenancy agreement you signed, within 28 days.
If you did not sign a tenancy agreement before going into the property, then there is no written tenancy agreement to send you. You cannot be bound by a tenancy agreement you have not signed. However if you need written confirmation of the terms of your tenancy, you should write to the landlord asking for this.
In both cases, you should say in your letter that you are requesting the information pursuant to section 20A of the Housing Act 1988. It is probably best for the letter to be delivered by hand so you can be sure that it has been received by your landlord/letting agent.

If the tenancy agreement or written confirmation of the terms of your tenancy, are not sent to you within 28 days of delivery of your letter, you should contact the Housing Advisor of your local authority. They will write to your landlord/letting agent about their failure to provide you with the statutory information, and are they the authority which will bring the prosecution if necessary (i.e. not the police). You will find contact details in our Local Authority Directory.

Note that if you had not signed a tenancy agreement before going into occupation and your landlord/letting agent now gives you an agreement to sign, you must check it carefully to make sure it reflects the terms that were agreed before you went into occupation, particularly with regard to the rent payable and the term of the tenancy. If you are uncertain you should take legal advice before you sign it. You can get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, Shelter Office, a local solicitor (many will offer an initial free interview), your local authority housing advice service.

My landlord wants me to sign a new tenancy agreement, do I have to?

No, not if you do not want to. Rent Act protected tenants and tenants with assured tenancies will usually be better off not signing.

However, if you have an assured shorthold tenancy, remember that the landlord has the right to evict you after serving at least two months notice, and he may do this if you refuse to sign.

If there is anything in the new agreement which worries you or which you do not understand, get some advice. Your local CAB or Shelter office will be able to assist. Or you can use the Landlord-Law facilities.

Note - Landlords often give out a new tenancy agreement when they want to increase the rent, as if you sign the agreement you are deemed to have agreed to the new rent and cannot then challenge it.

Should the tenancy agreement be stamped?

A tenancy agreement is a 'stampable' document. However unless the rent is very high indeed, since December 2003 tenancy agreements have not needed to be stamped any more. You can find out more about stamp duty (now called Stamp Duty Land Tax) by telephoning the Inland Revenue Stamp Duty Helpline on 0845 603 0135.Prior to December 2003, stamp duty was payable on many tenancy agreements. Tenancy agreements which should have been stamped but which are not, cannot be used as evidence in court proceedings. However if you are going to court you can always get the document stamped out of time (they should be stamped within 30 days) although you will have to pay a penalty.

Does the tenants signature on the tenancy agreement have to be witnessed?

Provided the term is less than three years, the tenant is paying a market rent, and the term starts immediately, there is no need for signatures to be witnessed. This is specifically provided in section 54 of the Law of Property Act 1925.

Otherwise, for example if the landlord is granting a five year tenancy, the tenancy needs to be signed as a deed (which means the signature must be witnessed). Another situation where this should be done is where the tenancy agreement is being signed up in advance before the tenancy starts - for example this is often the case with many student lets.

There is no harm however in signing tenancies as a deed even if the circumstances set out in s54 do not apply. Most standard forms of tenancy agreement provide for this, as the publisher does not know the circumstances under which the form will be used.

So, What’s the Score?

It’s important for landlords, and for tenants too, to know the score – in other words, to know about Credit Scores and to know how to check your own credit files.
Increasingly, landlords and agents do credit checks and referencing on their prospective tenants, moving away from the traditional “gut feel” selection methods to a more modern and scientific base. Credit Checks and Referencing is now so easy and quick on-line
These days, when you apply for a bank account, a credit card, a personal loan, hire purchase, a mortgage, or any other forms of credit, including, increasingly, a tenancy, it is likely that the lender or landlord will seek permission to carry out a credit check on the application and your “credit score” will be obtained.
Anyone who has had credit will have a credit file. For a credit score to be calculated based on your credit report, the report must contain at least one account that has been active for six months or longer.
The report must also contain at least one account that has been updated in the past six months. This will ensure that there is enough recent information, in your report to calculate an accurate score.
Your credit score will not be calculated if there is a fraud statement on your credit file or if you are in dispute with a lender over payments.
A credit score is a number (for example 180 out of a possible 300) used by lenders, as an indication of how likely an applicant is to pay regularly and on-
time. The credit score is generated by a mathematical formula using data from the applicant’s credit report.
Credit scores have been in use as part of the lending decision making process for over 30 years and with all this experience agencies and lenders have become increasingly proficient at predicting an applicant’s reliability. The process therefore predicts how big a risk is being taken by allowing an applicant to borrow up to a certain limit or, in the case of lettings, to take on a tenancy with a certain monthly rent.
All this helps the lender to decide whether to accept or reject the application and, where relevant, to help set a maximum credit limit. In the case of a tenancy, it is likely that a limit of 2.5 times the tenant’s salary, and for a guarantor, 3 times salary will be imposed.
To “pass” the credit score system the applicant’s score must reach a certain figure. In the case of a tenancy application and depending on the score obtained, the landlord or his agent may:
• Accept the application
• Fail the application, or
• Ask for a guarantor.

The guarantor will also need to have a “pass” level credit score.
The lender or landlord will carry out Credit Reference Checks using a Credit Reference Agency. The agency will examine the applicant’s credit history to see if the applicant has a good record of personal credit management and will produce a credit score.
In the case of a Comprehensive Check an employer’s and previous landlord’s reference will be sought.
What information will be provided by credit reference agencies?
There are two main categories of information provided by a credit reference agency: Public Information and personal Credit Account Information.
Public Information is obtained from the Electoral Register (provided by local authorities), which is used to help identification: county court judgments (from the Registry Trust Ltd, which is the official body that records county court judgments) and bankruptcies (from the official London and Scottish Gazettes).
Credit Account Information is held by credit reference agencies on behalf of lenders such as credit card companies and finance houses. Most of the UK's credit-granting institutions share and store information about any credit agreements they may have with their customers, with a credit reference agency.
Also, many of these lenders have agreed to share this information with each other. When someone applies for credit, therefore, this lets the lenders check whether or not that person has repaid money to other lenders in the past – it’s a quick and reliable method of checking a person's credit history.
Good information, such a loan that’s been regularly paid on time, should support a new application. On the other hand, information showing loans that have not been repaid on time will adversely affect an application.
Statistics show that people who have had past financial difficulties are far more likely to default on repayments in the future. Also, if someone is already having financial difficulties, it may not be in their own best interests to be given more credit.
If you are refused credit, you can get advice from your local Trading Standards Department, Citizen's Advice Bureau or Consumer Advice Centre.
In fact, you have the right to get mistakes corrected and if a company has put incorrect and damaging information on your credit record, that can be libellous. The Information Commission says:
“There is a right to compensation under Section 13 of the Data protection Act 1998, if an individual can show he or she has suffered damage as a result of what someone in control of information has done with it.”
The Information Commissioner produces a leaflet entitled 'No Credit?' You can obtain a free copy from the Information Commissioner's website www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

So what factors influence an applicant’s credit score?
There are various factors, which determine credit scores, some of which are probably not fully disclosed by the credit reference agencies, but some of the main ones include the following:
• Payment history – a record of late or missed payments will give a lower score.
• Outstanding debt – If the applicant currently owes a lot the score will be lowered, particularly if they are near their total credit limit.
• Accounts in use - The existence of too many open accounts can lower a score, whether the accounts are being used or not.
• Length of credit history – the longer the better. This can be a problem for someone with no history of using credit or holding credit cards etc.
• The amount of credit used - compared to the credit available.
• Amount and frequency of derogatory credit information - such as county court judgements, bankruptcies, charge-offs, and collections.
• New and changed accounts - opening multiple new accounts in a short period of time or constantly changing banks will give a lower score.
• Searches made - whenever someone else gets a credit report, for example, a lender, landlord, or insurer, the search is recorded on your credit report. A large number of recent searches may lower your score.
• Moving house - the more you move around in a short space of time the bigger the adverse effect it will have on the score
• Living abroad – when you are abroad you are effectively out of the system, so not credit information is accruing.
Regularly checking your own credit report can be a wise precaution so that you can:
• Be fully informed of the most up-to-date information in your personal credit history
• Correct any inaccuracies; to make sure that your credit data is always a true picture of your credit record.
• Be aware of who is making credit checks on you or if anyone is applying for credit in your name. Identity theft is an increasing problem, and for this reason alone monitoring your credit record is very worthwhile.
What would be a "good" credit score?
There are several types of credit scores available and different agencies use slightly different systems. However, is each case the higher the score, the better.
Each credit check agency will decide what credit score range it considers to be a good credit risk. However, the actual credit score is only one component of the information evaluated.

Improving the Score
With credit card and loan offers piling through letterboxes everywhere, it’s never been easier to run up debt. If you have been less than exemplary inyour personal financial management you could find yourself blacklisted for credit, and have a real problem when it comes to securing a loan or a tenancy, so is there a reliable way to clean-up your act?
The short answer is yes, but it will inevitably take you some time if you want to repair your credit rating – be wary of companies promising to instantly wipe out a bad credit record, it just cannot be done.
The first thing a lender, insurer or landlord does when first considering you for a credit card, a loan, insurance or a tenancy is to check your credit report. A file on your credit details will be held by Britain’s two credit reference agencies – see below for details of these agencies.
If you find your applications are being turned down, don’t go from one lender to the next hoping to be accepted. Every time a lender checks with a credit reference agency it will be recorded on your file, leading to a lower score.
To lenders these 'footprints' can indicate that you may be over-extending yourself; that you are being refused by other lenders and forced to look elsewhere, or that there may be fraud involved.
There may be very good reasons for your credit score problems. If you have had late or missed payments, or you have defaulted on loan payments or County Court Judgements (CCJs), these details will be recorded on your credit record file for six years (unless you pay off a CCJ within the first month).
It's been estimated that around 80% of credit records contain errors. This therefore gives you a chance to correct them before you apply for a loan, insurance or a tenancy.
Cancel excess numbers of credit cards or those you don't use anymore. Pay off any outstanding accounts, and check your file for any listed account numbers that are not yours. Check your record of loan balances and late
payments for accuracy. You may need to provide a good explanation of these to lenders.
To improve your credit score, and start to build a good record, from now on pay all of your bills on time and reduce the amount of credit you have outstanding.
Credit repair companies can improve your credit rating for you, but they can’t do it overnight and they charge anything from £50 to £200. There is nothing that these companies do which you cannot easily do for yourself.
The starting point is to get a copy of your credit record files from the credit reference agencies. This information may tell you a different story and give you a cause for your low score, which you had not considered before.
For example, your personal record may be affected by the debts of a relative or former spouse who is, or was, living in the same property as yourself. This is because your address is a key element in your credit record and in cases like this it is possible to have a Notice of Disassociation added to your file.
The Notice of Disassociation will effectively filter the other person's information from your credit file. It’s also possible to add a Notice of Correction to your file. This is used where there is a piece of information that is basically correct but where it could benefit from being put into context. Examples of this might be a credit default from the past when you were made redundant, you got divorced or you had an extended period of time off work through illness. If none of these issues apply to you, or you have taken steps to resolve debt problems but are still being refused credit, ask the credit reference agencies and the lenders why? It might be that the credit scoring procedures used by a particular lender is very strict. The good news here is that taking out some form of credit and then dutifully meeting the repayments on time can quite quickly build a good credit status.
If a lender or landlord turns down your credit or tenancy application, they should tell you the main reason why your application failed to qualify you. They are not obliged, however, to disclose the full information they have obtained, and they certainly are not under any obligation to show you the report – in fact they will be told not to do so by the credit agency.
Banks use a system known as “Behavioural Scoring”, or what they call predictive scoring, in addition to credit scoring on their existing customers. Behavioural scoring is basically an assessment of the way that a customer manages their own bank accounts, based on the longer-term pattern of activity seen passing though their accounts. This has been shown to by a highly statistically consistent way of identifying acceptable credit risks to the bank.
Landlords can use a less sophisticated form of behavioural scoring by requesting sight of 6 month’s current account statements from their prospective tenants. Careful scrutiny of these can be very revealing as to the tenant’s financial life-style, and commitments in terms of income and outgoings over a period of time.
In addition, unlike a couple of utility bills, it’s very unlikely that an identity fraudster could access 6 months of someone else’s currents account bank statements in order to obtain a tenancy in someone else’s name – not unheard of these days!

Credit Score Healing Tips!
Scores will automatically improve, as one's overall credit picture gets better. That means building-up a pattern over time of paying your bills on time and using credit conservatively.

Some credit management tips:
• Pay your bills on time - late payments will definitely have a serious impact on your credit score.
• When you have missed payments, and we can all do this accidentally sometimes, get up-to-date and stay up-to-date. The more you pay your bills on time, the better your credit score.
• Try to actually pay-off debt rather than move it around.
• Re-establish your credit history if you have had previous problems. Starting new accounts and paying them off on time will raise your score in the long run.
• Request and check your own Credit Reports. Doing this will not affect your score, as long as it’s done through a credit reference agency or an organisation authorised to provide Credit Reports to consumers – these are now available on-line.
• By all means have credit cards but manage them responsibly. In fact, having credit cards and instalment loans, provided you make regular payments’ will raise your credit score.
• Only apply for new credit accounts when you definitely need them.
• If you are having trouble making ends meet you should contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counsellor to help get back on-track and start to rebuild a good credit management record.

Return to Top

Rights and Tenant Eviction
As a tenant there is always the possibility that you might be evicted from your rental property. Although for most tenants this problem never arises, it is still advisable to know your rights as a tenant regarding eviction. If you are threatened with eviction then knowing your rights will help you to find the least painful solution to the situation, and may even help you avoid eviction. Want to know more? Well, here are some tips on your rights as a tenant should you be facing eviction, and how to make the most of these rights to bring about a speedy and amicable solution.

Are You a Tenant?
You might be living in a property you don’t own, but that doesn’t mean you are a tenant. There are a variety of possible living arrangements for those who don’t live in their own property. However, you are usually considered a tenant if:
You pay rent
You have exclusive use of one room
You can stop other people, including the landlord, from entering your home.
If you are a lodger or have a casual agreement with someone, then you might not have the same rights as a regular tenant. You need to make sure that you are indeed a tenant before you can look at your rights regarding eviction.

Receiving Notice
If you are a tenant, then unless otherwise told by the landlord you will be on a shorthold tenancy agreement. This means that once an agreement is signed, you cannot be evicted without a good reason within the first 6 months of your tenancy. Even if a shorter fixed period has been agreed, you will not be subject to eviction unless you break the rules of the tenancy agreement. Even after this time, the landlord must give you 2 months’ notice about moving out of the property, unless otherwise agreed by both parties before the tenancy starts.

Also, if a landlord wants to visit the property they have to give you 24 hours’ notice before they can enter. Although the property is legally theirs, as a tenant you have the right to live your life peacefully and without disturbance.

Being Evicted
After the initial 6-month period, if no longer fixed-term has been agreed then a landlord can give you notice and evict you at any time for no reason. However, if they fail to give proper notice or try to evict you during a fixed contract, there must be a reason for their actions. This will usually be due to a failure to pay rent or damage to the property.

However, even if you are in rent arrears a landlord has to serve the proper papers and follow certain procedures to evict you. The landlord has to first serve you notice of your eviction and then apply to the courts for a possession order. Not until a possession order has been granted can a landlord actually evict you, and even then if you refuse to leave they cannot physically evict you themselves. They will need to get the bailiffs to remove you from the property.

Illegal Eviction and Harassment
It is important you know your tenant eviction rights so that you are not illegally forced out of the property. If any of the following things happen to you then you should report your landlord to the police immediately, and record the details of the events for evidence:
Cutting off your water, gas or electricity
Using threatening behaviour to make you leave
Trying to make you sign an agreement that takes away your legal rights
Interfering with your possessions
Moving into part of your home
Physically throwing you out of your home
Changing the locks
Stopping you from getting into part of your home
If a landlord tries to evict you illegally or is harassing you, then you might be able to get an injunction against them. This will prevent them threatening you and allow you to remain in the property.

Although eviction isn’t a problem for all tenants, knowing your rights as a tenant is important so that you know what a landlord can and cannot do. Knowing your tenant rights will enable you to make sure you are treated fairly and that you aren’t evicted illegally. If you want to avoid eviction problems and solve landlord disputes quickly then make sure you know your tenant eviction rights.

Landlords and Repair Obligations
While it could be that a lease states that a landlord is required to repair anything, at any time, should his or her tenants request it, this is clearly the type of agreement that could only exist in a tenant’s dream. In reality, most leases require a landlord to repair only what is mandated by law, though many landlords are happy to help tenants keep their properties as nice as possible. A good relationship between landlord and tenant is probably the best way to ensure that repairs are seen to immediately, so no matter which side of the fence you are on, attempt to forge a good working relationship and hopefully your household headaches will dissipate immediately.

Repairs Required by Law
No matter what is explicitly stated in a lease or rental agreement, certain repair requirements are set out for landlords by law. Investigate legalities in your area, but for the most part expect landlords to be required to repair:
Structural problems or anything involving the outside of the building (including problems with pipes, drains and gutters).
Problems associated with utility supplies such as water, gas and electricity.
Broken water heaters, radiators or other heat sources.
Plumbing problems or anything affecting baths, showers, sinks or toilets.
Large electrical appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and washing machines.
Insulation issues or structural damage brought about by damp.
Any furniture or accessories supplied with the accommodation that experience problems due to age or “normal” wear and tear.

Responsibilities of the Tenant
Though certain repairs are required of the landlord, tenants also have certain responsibilities to the accommodation that they are renting. Often these responsibilities will be set out in a lease or rental agreement, and common conditions include:
Keeping the premises, and all land outside, clean and tidy.
Using all appliances and the heating system properly.
Checking that all utilities and alarm systems are in good working order.
Ensuring that neither themselves nor their guests damage or injure the property.
Reporting, in writing, any repair requests to the landlord immediately.
Thoroughly or professionally cleaning the accommodation before vacating it.

Accommodating Repair Procedures
In order to make repairs – whether they are required by law or not – there is a particular procedure that landlords and tenants must respect. By law a landlord must give written notice at least 24 hours prior to entering a property in order to facilitate the repairs. While carrying out the repairs, the landlord is entitled only to access the areas required to carry out the repairs. The same holds true if landlords seek permission to enter the accommodation to carry out unnecessary improvements.

Further Information on Landlords and Repair Obligations
Further information on landlords and repair obligations should be obtained from estate agents and solicitors. The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985 is a basic piece of legislation covering the topic, but obtaining professional guidance is always recommended when needed.

Landlords and repair obligations can be the stuff of nightmares, but understanding the legal requirements of both landlords and tenants can greatly reduce the complexities surrounding this topic. If either the landlord or tenant feels unsatisfied with their relationship regarding repairs, professional advice should be sought from an estate agent or solicitor. Avoiding this result by maintaining a good working relationship between landlord and tenant would probably suit everyone concerned though, so only look to the courts as a last resort.

General guidance on renting property in Leeds....

Let lots of agents know what you are looking for so you get a really good selection to choose from.
Inform the agent of your criteria (location, budget, furnished/unfurnished, occupation date requirement, tenancy period and any other aspects that are important to you).
Expect to pay a deposit of at least one months rent, possibly more. Possibly some administration charges.
You may be required to provide references.
Ensure you read and understand the tenancy agreement. The Citizens Advice Bureau may check this for you. Clarify what is NOT included in the rental fee, such as council tax, utility bills, ground maintenance etc.
Examine the inventory prepared by the agent and keep a copy.
Check restrictions: sub-letting, pets etc. Can you redecorate?
Notify defects in writing as soon as they become apparent (even if you do not want them remedied).
Establish what is covered under maintenance (boilers, refrigerators, radiators etc.).
Usually, you will not have to deal with the landlord directly. Should you have any problems or queries, direct them to your agent first.
Other issues to consider are, parking, neighbours, noise levels, public transport availability etc.
Action to rent a house or flat in Leeds

Notify all the main local agents by sending 'one e-mail to all Letting Agents' with your requirements. Do it now!

General guidance on letting property in Leeds

Choose a letting agent that is registered with one of the following:

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) - Intercity is a member of NALS
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
The UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA)
Get a good contract which will be the Tenancy Agreement. Think about any restrictions you wish to place on the tenant and the use of your property.

Try not to be too tough - if you exclude smokers, pets, students, small children and short term lets, you will narrow the market for your property considerably.

Ask for a rent that is realistic and affordable to your potential tenants. The big difference in profit at the end of the year will be dependent upon how long the property stood empty - reduce the voids!

Examine our 'buyers tips' for guidelines on presenting the property in an attractive manner.

Action to let property in Leeds

Notify the local Letting Agents your property is available and find out the likely rent that could be attracted for your property.

Are you looking for an apartment to rent? All over Leeds you can find apartments, flats & houses to rent out and all you have to do is plan it out thoroughly before you really take it up.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s draw up the plan and go right ahead!

To find the best possible place for you, you must be sure it is within your budget, safe and in a good locality. It is a great thrill to hunt for apartments but this can be very tiring and tedious too. So to make the search as simple as possible, get the best deal in the nicest locality, let’s first write down exactly what kind of apartment we want and then start searching for that kind of place.

Once we have identified the area, we must see the proximity to a market place and work etc. It is also very important to have a good landlord and a clean, green environment if it is possible. After all, the apartment where you will stay and so it makes a lot of difference to have a nice home rather than a shabby home or unclean surroundings.

So check out your list and earmark the localities and then short list the apartments that you would like as home accommodation. Once you choose the best one out of the short listed ones, be sure to meet the landlord and talk to him at length settling all matters related to rental properties, the lease and its renewal terms, rent and rent advance etc to ensure you both understand each other and all the terms clearly which you have mutually agreed upon.

You must also look into the fact that if you want to join the gym, there is one available right there or close to you or if you have a sportsman you have easy access to the sports you would like to play. Or maybe a club that you would like to join, say a golf club, it is within close proximity so you save time commuting.

As you must be aware, there are all kinds of rental properties and schemes for independent home rentals which you must be aware of. You should go through a reliable Property Manager so that you are able to speed up the process. But please ensure that you have checked out his credentials and he is from a very reliable source as there are plenty of sharks around!

So the thrill of the house hunting is on! Good Luck to you and if you are clear and alert, you will find just what you want!

Return to Top